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Back to school is better with help from Alabama Power volunteers

When it comes to children, members of the Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO) have one aim: to pour good things into young lives.

As the new school year begins, APSO members are working to help children and schools – benefitting thousands of young people across the state. APSO is uplifting kids in myriad ways: Those in underserved areas are receiving new school supplies; children are being provided with take-home meals for after school and the weekend; playgrounds and school areas are clean and beautified; an outdoor classroom and gardens are revitalized; and members are helping food banks supply food to needy families. Alabama Power employees are capping off this good work by mentoring children.

Thanks to Power Delivery Distribution Specialist Will Freeman and the Eastern Division APSO team, there’s a new, heartwarming feature at Cleburne County Elementary School: a “Buddy Bench.” The weather left the school’s previous bench – a gift from Eastern APSO years ago – brittle and dilapidated. Freeman and Power Delivery Engineering Supervisor Michael Barber built a new bench, spending about six hours after work, over three days, on its construction.

“Our APSO volunteers had an amazing time building and unveiling the new Buddy Bench, a special spot where kids can sit, chat and spark new friendships,” Freeman said. “Seeing their smiles and hearing their laughter was pure joy.”

Eastern APSO volunteers partnered with community groups to make the 2 MEE Backpack Giveaway a big success, bringing smiles to Talladega-area youngsters while supporting the United Way of North Talladega County. Chapter President Julie Couch said APSO members packed more than 600 backpacks in 4.5 hours, seeking to offer hope and encouragement for the new school year.

“It was a two-day event, and Will Freeman led the charge, along with several other APSO volunteers,” said Couch, real estate specialist for Corporate Real Estate – Transmission Acquisition at Corporate Headquarters in Birmingham. “He has been a star since he’s been on our APSO board for Talladega. They did a great, great job.”

APSO’s Betty Edison, Roger Lynch, Justin Minter and Dana McFarland, with Barber, Freeman, and his wife, Haley, volunteered 4.5 hours on the project.

Eastern APSO’s donation drive for Backpack Buddies in Talladega began Aug. 8 and continues through Sept. 19 at Alabama Power business offices from Oneonta to Roanoke, Dadeville, Dale City, Cleburne and all parts in between. The project prevents food insecurity when children leave school. Incoming 2026 Eastern Division APSO President Stephanie Mitchell leads the effort, encouraging employees to donate easy-to-eat foods: individually wrapped items, such as cereal and oatmeal, crackers and cookies, mac and cheese, ravioli, fruit snacks, pudding, fruit cups and apple sauce, chips, juice and water. Employees who donate items during Eastern Division Safety Renewal meetings Aug. 20-21 can take part in a raffle.

Southeast/Farley APSO grows gardens and young minds

Children at Beulah Elementary School in Valley are enjoying a taste of the farming life with help from Southeast/Farley APSO. Project chair Lisa Roberts said several volunteers and their families helped out on July 26, using weed trimmers, shovels and other equipment from home. The team’s newly built raised vegetable beds will allow students to learn to garden.

Since mid-July, Southeast Division employees have filled collection bins with supplies for local schools. On Aug. 15, Southeast/Farley APSO President Keisha Russaw and her board packaged those materials. On Aug. 19, the team handed out supplies to Midland City and Webb Elementary schools, along with Barbour County schools.

Plant Barry employees give hand up to families, schools 

Barry APSO partnered with Fostering Together Gulf Coast to host a school supply drive, connecting resources and generosity of the community with the needs of children in foster care and adoptive families in the Gulf Coast. Employees shopped for items on the nonprofit’s list of needed items, including backpacks, notebooks, binders, erasers, highlighters, pencils, markers, glue sticks and scissors. Fostering Together Founder and Executive Director Rachel Webb said the supplies went to 400 grateful attendees of the nonprofit’s Back to School Bash for foster and adoptive families on July 26.

Webb said Barry APSO has made a positive difference for her clients since 2019. “We love the Barry APSO group. They help us in numerous ways, by volunteering, with donations and with supplies,” she said. “This year, we were one of the recipients of Barry’s Clay Shoot.”

On Aug. 5, Barry APSO members worked to enhance and refresh the garden and outdoor classroom at Lee Elementary School in Satsuma. The project built on improvements made in April, funded by an Alabama Power Good Roots Grant. Plant Barry employees Lex Bumpers, Renee Bumpers, Lora Lofton, Sharon Meier, Alonzo Riley, Melanie Robins, Hayden Watters and Jade Wilkerson volunteered 20 hours.

Barry APSO members rolled up their sleeves and added a splash of color to McIntosh High School in Mobile. They additionally cleaned the school grounds.

Uplifting youngsters is Magic City APSO’s forte

Magic City APSO supported Bessemer-area scholars at the Acts of Service for the Community (ACTS4C) event at Abrams Elementary July 19, where employees gave children new mesh backpacks, crayons, markers, pencils, pens and three-prong folders. Former Abrams Principal Mildred Posey was thrilled to see her underserved community “getting the love,” as Magic City members mentored students and shared smiles and encouragement for the new school year.

Project chair Marcus Ramsey and Magic City APSO want to share the program annually. Volunteers encouraged students to reach for excellence, with Power Delivery Distribution Planning Engineer Ramsey, Recruiting Consultant Andreal Howard, Customer Care Associate Christalyn Sexton, End User Analyst Robbie Terrell and Staff Accountant TaKeya Robertson interacting with kids and their families.

Projects run the gamut for Mobile Division APSO

Mobile APSO helped numerous local groups, gathering school supplies collected by division office employees for LeFlore Magnet High School. Chapter members also bought supplies for a Clark County special needs class and delivered items for the hygiene closet at LeFlore High School – Mobile County Public School System.

On July 26, Mobile APSO members volunteered at the Southwest Mobile Chamber of Commerce Kids Day. The pirate-themed event equipped students ages 4 through 12 with free backpacks, supplies and uniforms. Kids and their families enjoyed snow-cone and ice cream trucks, vendors, bounce houses, games and more.

Making a better school year for many

Webb perhaps summed up APSO’s efforts best: As a parent who has adopted three of the 32 children she has fostered in the past 12 years, she understands that raising strong, capable adults requires a community.

“The donations of Alabama Power and the APSO group touch so many lives and so many children, and we truly could not do it without their partnership,” Webb said, noting that APSO volunteers always come through during holidays. “They help us in so many ways. That has been really special. … We love having them there.”